Batley Bulldogs: Wily Kear looking at the bigger picture

Peter Smith

BATLEY BULLDOGS boss John Kear was delighted with the 31-24 win at bottom club Workington Town.

Bulldogs are fifth in the Kingstone Press Championship, just a point behind fourth-placed Featherstone Rovers, and Kear said: “It was a very good win.

“It is a long way to go and come back in a day and play well, but that’s what they achieved. I thought there were several stand-out performances, but I was pleased with how intelligently we played the game.

“That was the most pleasing aspect and if there had been a video referee two of the Workington tries would not have stood.

“One was off-side from a kick and for another their player did not ground the ball, so it was more comprehensive than the score suggests.

“It was a really good effort.”

Kear, whose side face Dewsbury Rams at the Summer Bash in Blackpool on Sunday, said he is considering giving prop Alex Rowe a break to rest groin and knee injuries.

“He is struggling a bit and it’s a matter of when to sit him down and give him a rest to recover properly,” Kear said.

“This weekend is vitally important for both teams, as all games are, but there’s 18 points still up for grabs, so it’s not just all about the two on Sunday.